BERMAGUI was abuzz on Saturday as the sun shone on a “hugely successful” Seaside Fair.
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One could almost be forgiven for thinking the torrential thunderstorm of the night before hadn’t happened as Saturday dawned bright and hot.
Bermagui was pelted on Friday night with close to 40mm of rain by some accounts.
There was even a figure of 90-odd millimetres a bit further north towards Tilba floated about.
However, while dark clouds threatened on all horizons, Bermagui had its own patch of sunshine for the entire fair day.
“So much of the success of these events depends on the weather,” Seaside Fair committee member Lori Hammerton – whose own Beauty Point home recorded 66mm - said.
“Somebody must have had a few credits up top!”
Ms Hammerton said while as a free event there was really no way of knowing how many people walked through the gates, “I felt it was the biggest we’d seen and we normally estimate around 10,000 people”.
“Every year is good, but it seems to keep getting bigger.
“The caravan park and motels were all booked out which is a good sign.
“The committee members have been receiving emails from stallholders, entertainers and visitors to the area saying they will definitely come again next year, which is really pleasing to hear.”
A main drawcard of Saturday’s fair was the Umbrellas of Bermagui display and auction.
Ms Hammerton said all 16 of the hand-painted umbrellas sold for between $250-800.
After expenses, all proceeds from the auction will be put towards the Bermagui Skate Park, organisers of which just announced they are ready to start construction.
To start the carnival atmosphere of the Seaside Fair, crowds lined both sides of the main street to watch the ever-popular parade.
“The parade was absolutely such fun,” Ms Hammerton said.
“People were telling me they thought it was the best one ever, people really got into the theme of Out of This World.
“The CWA ladies, even a couple of bikers dressed up.”
The University (or Universe) of the Third Age walked away with the parade’s best on foot award, and the Bermagui Surf Shop scored best on wheels for its foil-encrusted space-age Mini.
“There must’ve been a great surge on alfoil sales last week,” Ms Hammerton joked.
Meanwhile, Little Lambs Preschool was awarded best overall float.
On Sunday, the Seaside Fair continued with a seniors concert packing out the Country Club auditorium.
The Bermagui CWA ladies were again a hit, dressing as nuns for a Sister Act-style performance.
“Overall, the committee was incredibly thrilled with the weekend,” she said.
“The art and craft display had huge crowds, Questacon had huge crowds – everything we put on worked.”